The king laughed. "A man makes reservations even in his promises," he said, "and think not that I am going to allow my father's murderers to go around stirring up dissension, or hot-gospellers to preach rebellion. Nay, you will soon see. The Puritans had no mercy, and Grand Dieu neither will I!"
At this there was silence.
"So, fair Constance, I beseech you for your own sake to—to be obedient to my wishes, and——"
"Will Your Majesty be pleased to forgive me," cried Constance. "It ill becomes me to boast, but I am not afraid of death, and so I beseech Your Majesty to mete out my punishment without delay."
"You mean that——"
"It would be better for me to die than that my father's child should turn traitor or coward."
At this I could not help giving expression to my gladness; indeed so loud was the sound that escaped my lips that the king heard me.
"Who is there?" he cried angrily.
A minute later I was brought into the room where the king was. I saw that his usually pale face had become of a purplish hue, while his slits of eyes shot an angry light.
"How now sirrah!" he cried, as I stood before him, "hast thou heard aught of the conversation between me and this maid?"